AAR Corp. has signed a multi-year agreement in 2021 to perform airframe maintenance on United Airlines’ narrow-body aircraft fleet at AAR’s MRO facility at RFD.
Boeing is all set to move its global headquarters from Chicago to Arlington, Virginia outside Washington D.C. According to Boeing, Virginia marks strategic sense for its global headquarters given its proximity to its customers and stakeholders. However, it is said that Boeing will maintain a significant presence in Chicago and the surrounding regions with less office space. Then what happens to the customers and stakeholders in Chicago?
As per the sources, cost cuts and a more hands-on corporate culture had raised questions about Boeing’s future in Chicago, and in turn, the broad direction Boeing intends to take as it tries to regain its stride.
History
Boeing first moved its headquarters to Chicago from Seattle in 2001, after 85 long years, to 100 North Riverside Plaza in Chicago’s West Loop neighborhood after reporting a massive loss of USD 1.2 billion. Four years later, Boeing bought a 36-story, 770,300-square-foot tower from the Florida State Pension Fund for USD 200 million. It has been Boeing’s HQ ever since.
Booming business at Chicago Rockford International Airport
The move by Boeing is not expected to affect the Chicago Rockford International Airport, as per the reports. Business is firm, intact, and booming at Rockford Airport as AAR Corp. has signed a multi-year agreement in 2021 to perform airframe maintenance on United Airlines’ narrow-body aircraft fleet at AAR’s MRO facility at RFD. This agreement with AAR and United Airlines to use the facility as a maintenance hub for United’s Boeing 737 fleet and other aircraft will run through 2025. Post the agreement, AAR added about 250 maintenance technicians in an attempt to ramp up the workforce.
Mike Dunn, Chicago Rockford International Airport executive director said, “I cannot comment on behalf of AAR. We have not been notified of any plans involving United pulling its business with AAR. To the best of my knowledge, the business is firmly entrenched in Rockford.”
Greg Dellinger, AAR Corporation Outreach & Government Affairs Director said, “AAR’s multi-year maintenance contract with United is on solid ground, regardless of whether Boeing leaves Chicago. We do not expect any impact. AAR employs hundreds, and we continue to actively recruit and hire certified aviation maintenance technicians.”
Mammoth MRO facility at Chicago Rockford International Airport
Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD) has a strategic MRO hub featuring dual 91.5m span hangars built by Rubb Building Systems. This MRO facility operated by AAR is expected to service an Airbus 380 and Boeing 747 at the same time with everything from heavy maintenance checks to modification services. The 200,000-square-foot facility operates 24 hours a day and has greatly expanded the airport’s infrastructure. The two 10-story tall hangars, which are 300 feet by 300 feet can service all aircraft platforms including check-level, heavy maintenance visits, and modification services for a variety of narrow and wide-body aircraft. It can accommodate the following
- 2 Boeing 747s, or
- 8 Boeing 737-800s / Airbus 320 variants, or
- 4 Boeing 787s, or
- 2 Airbus A380s
Designed for next-gen aircraft, it is the only hangar in the United States not linked to an airline, capable of servicing the world’s largest passenger airliner.
Jeff Polsean, Economic Development Manager, Chicago Rockford International Airport, said “Even an extreme blizzard won’t slow the efficiency of the Rockford MRO. Now we have overcome severe funding challenges, 500 skilled workers enjoy natural light in ideal working conditions at the 24-hour-per-day facility, delivered by Rubb Building Systems, operated by AAR.”
This one-of-a-kind building is truly mammoth as an MRO facility. It’s impressive from the inside and practical for all kinds of repair. The Rockford structure represents a high point in Rubb Buildings Systems’ history in highly efficient membrane-clad commercial aviation hangars. It is a step-change in hangar efficiency, and Rubb’s largest hangar ever.
Strategic location
AAR chose Rockford due to its central geographical location, highly trained workforce, cost-effectiveness, and access to a robust warehouse and distribution network. Rockford, Illinois is also a hub for aerospace and aviation technology, with Boeing, Woodward, UTC Aerospace Systems, and GE Aviation all having facilities nearby.
Aviation Maintenance Training
Attracting a world-class MRO required a steady pipeline of talent, so RFD partnered with Rock Valley College (RVC) to build a new and larger aviation maintenance training school at the airport. The RVC Aviation Maintenance (AMT) Program was designed to promote economic development and position a more strongly educated and aligned workforce for the region. AAR, as well as local companies like Woodward, Collins Aerospace, B/E Aerospace, and GE Aviation, have benefited from the trained workforce.
